Ellis Island, New York City

Hear the tales of the 12 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island when it served as the nation's busiest immigration inspection station, from 1892 to 1954. The immigration museum, housed in the station's main building, reveals details about the immigrants who came to the island and the staff who worked there. You can view informative displays, a short film, photos, art, and personal artifacts. Outside the museum, read the wall of honor for a partial list of the immigrants processed here. Before boarding a ferry to the island, be prepared for a thorough security check; sharp objects and large bags are forbidden. Purchase ferry tickets in advance to avoid waiting in long lines. A visit to Ellis Island represents just the start of the adventure when you use our New York City trip itinerary planning app to plot your vacation.

Ellis Island used to be the historical point of entry for millions of migrants who wanted to enter the US via New York from 1892 to 1954. Today it is an island museum included in a usual day-trip itin...
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Remarkable place with so much history. I have looked forward to visiting for so long and it exceeded my expectations. Nice presentation and great history.

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By Cindy CarissaOn March 18, 2018

I always wanted to visit Ellis island national museum of immigration everytime i watch "Hitch" and finally last month i did that. It was fun to join a private tour from liberty island continued to ellis island, made me understand more about the American history, but when travelling with kids make sure to prepare proper outfit since it could gets windy in autumn.

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By Steven DoyleOn January 30, 2018

Absolutely fascinating place. I visited with my partner and met her relatives. We found their great aunts name on the wall of honour.

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By Jason AnsleyOn January 13, 2018

The key to Ellis Island...get there early! We caught the 14:25 boat and barely had any time to explore before they began to escort you back to the boats. There is so much history here that you will really want to budget 4 hours for this place. It is well worth it!

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By Stephan GrüteringOn February 21, 2018

amazing place to understand ...
where NYC comes from and specially the United States of America. It has been always about immigrants, immigrating fom all parts of the world.
Ellis Island, in Upper New York Bay, was the gateway for over 12 million immigrants to the United States as the nation's busiest immigrant inspection station for over sixty years. It began in 1892 and ended in 1954. The island was expanded because of the huge demand between 1892 and 1934. Before that, the much smaller original island was the site of Fort Gibson and later a naval magazine. The island was made part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument in 1965, and has hosted a museum of immigration since 1990.
A ittle anecdote, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty do not belong to New York, they belong to New Jersey. The Statue faces NYC and shows her behind to Newark and New Jersey.